Staff & Board

Staff

Our staff is dedicated to making a difference in Central New York. With extensive knowledge of our community’s changing needs, our staff is uniquely suited to assist donors in creating and implementing their charitable goals. We are also here to help the community by funding a broad spectrum of local needs by providing grant dollars and other assistance to the nonprofit  organizations we support. We are here to serve you, our donors and our community. Check out our Intern Corner to learn about our current and former interns.

	Peter A. Dunn President & CEO Welcomes all questions you may have regarding the Community Foundation and its services.
Finance & Administration
	Kimberly P. Sadowski, CPA Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Oversees finance, accounting, investments, information technology, human resources and operations. *Kim is happy to answer your questions regarding investments, foundation operations and talent recruitment.
	Elizabeth T. Hartman, CPA Controller Manages the day-to-day accounting activities of the Community Foundation adhering to accounting principles, policies and procedures. *Liz is happy to answer your questions about the audited financial statements or the 990.
	Kate Waltman, CPA Accountant Responsible for accounting and reporting functions and administers scholarships including Syracuse Say Yes to Education. *Kate is happy to answer your questions regarding scholarships.
	Gerianne P. Corradino Senior Finance Associate Responsible for the grant distribution and accounts payable processes. Also assists with the accounts receivable process and provides general administrative support to the Finance department. *Geri is happy to answer your questions about accounts payable.
	Terri Evans Receptionist Provides administrative support to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Community Foundation. *Terri is the first person to welcome constituents, visitors and staff when they arrive at the Philanthropy Center.
Development
	Thomas Griffith, AEPC®, CAP®, ChFC®  Vice President, Development Creates and implements custom charitable giving plans for individuals, families and companies in coordination with their professional advisors. He also helps local nonprofits create and build endowments. *Tom is happy to answer questions about your charitable planning.
	Monica M. Merante Senior Director, Philanthropic Services Serves as the primary contact for donors, connecting them with the many resources available through the Community Foundation. *Monica is happy to answer questions about your fund, help you identify areas of charitable interest, and research organizations and causes that you would like to support.
	Jan L. Lane Development Officer Supports charitable planning for individuals, families and companies and facilitates the Foundation’s legacy planning program. *Jan is happy to answer your questions regarding lifetime and legacy giving options, multi-generational engagement, fund succession planning and legacy preservation.
	Pragya Murphy Development Officer Supports charitable planning for individuals, families and companies and provides outreach to the local professional advisor community and nonprofit organizations. *Pragya is happy to answer your questions regarding the financial advisor program, nonprofit agency funds, affiliate fund development, lifetime giving and legacy giving.
	Jenny E. Green Manager, Philanthropic Services Provides support to donors, fund advisors and staff related to the organization's data management system. She also manages the Community Foundation’s gift acceptance and acknowledgment process. *Jenny is happy to help with updating contact information, removing from mailing lists, and answer your questions regarding donations.
Communications
	Katrina M. Crocker Vice President, Communications Develops and leads the implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy that builds and sustains awareness of the Community Foundation’s philanthropic voice in Central New York. *Katrina is happy to respond to media inquiries and answer your questions regarding overall communications.
	Juliet R. Maloff Communications Manager Champions and guides the Community Foundation's brand management to internal and external audiences by overseeing and producing media relations and print, digital and social media communications. *Juliet is happy to respond to media inquiries and answer your questions regarding any of our externally facing digital or print content.
	Dara M. Harper Events & Communications Associate Plans and executes Community Foundation events and provides general communications support. *Dara is happy to answer your questions regarding events, advertising and sponsorships, and affiliate fund communications.
community investment
	Frank M. Ridzi, PhD Vice President, Community Investment Oversees and monitors the grantmaking process, conducts research on issues or concerns of importance to the Community Foundation, shares expertise with donors and manages special projects and strategic initiatives *Frank is happy to answer your questions related to building, sustaining and sharing community knowledge and measuring impact through such initiatives as CNY Vitals, the Community Data Group, The Human Services Leadership Council, and Work Train.
	Danielle Gill Director, Grants and Programs Oversees the Community Grantmaking program, special initiatives and nonprofit development programs. *Danielle is happy to answer your questions regarding Community Grantmaking, NEWS, Marsellus Executive Development, LeadUp CNY, DoVES, Speiser Fund, and Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders
	Robyn L. Smith Director, Strategic Initiatives Oversees and implements the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives that support and enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities in the Central New York region. *Robyn is happy to answer your questions regarding CNYCF’s literacy, LeadSafeCNY, and Census initiatives. Also, Robyn is the main point of contact for the Performance Management Learning Community.
	Dashiell M. Elliott Manager, Grants and Programs Assists with the implementation and management of the community grant program and the Community Foundation’s community engagement and nonprofit development programs. *Dashiell is happy to answer your questions regarding Community Grantmaking, The Leadership Classroom (TLC), grant reporting and NEWS.
	Sean Reed Jr. Manager, Strategic Initiatives Assists with the implementation of the strategic initiative and affiliate fund programs. *Sean is happy to answer your questions related to the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives and affiliate fund grantmaking.
	Kari Simpkins Associate, Grants and Programs Provides administrative, initiative development and implementation and grantmaking support. *Kari is happy to answer your questions relating to Community Grantmaking and the Staff Advancement Initiative.

Board of Directors

The Central New York Community Foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders who hold extensive knowledge in the areas of accounting, estate planning and law. Members are responsible for managing the Foundation’s assets, developing new funds and making grants to the organizations that the Foundation and its donors support.

View our directory of former board members.

Board chair
	J. Andrew Breuer  President Hueber-Breuer Construction Company
Vice Chair
	Casey Crabill, Ed.D. President Onondaga Community College
Treasurer
	Daniel J. Fisher Former Executive Vice President Welch Allyn
Compliance Officer
	David A. Holstein, Esq.  Member Bousquet Holstein PLLC
Board Members
	Honorable Julie A. Cecile Judge Onondaga Family Court
	Karin Sloan DeLaney, Esq. Principal Sloan DeLaney P.C.
	Caragh Fahy, CFP® President & Owner Madison Financial Planning Group
	Lee Gatta CLU®, ChFC®, AEP® Financial Planner Prudential Financial
	Carolyn Gerakopoulos Former Director Oneida Public Library
	Grace B. Ghezzi, CPA/PFS/CFF, CFP®, CFE, AEP® President & Financial Consultant Grace B. Ghezzi Consulting, LLC.
	Kate Feldmeier Franz Founder and Owner KFF Literacy Consulting, LLC.
	Mark Fuller, CPA Chief Financial Officer United Radio, Inc.
	Pastor Daren Jamie Senior Pastor People's A.M.E. Zion Church
	Larry R. Leatherman Retired Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology & Bristol-Myers Squibb
	Michael Meath Interim Chair, Public Relations Department S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Syracuse University
	Timothy Penix Vice President Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center
	J. Daniel Pluff Senior Vice President Morgan Stanley
	Dr. Emad Rahim, PMP®, CSM® Kotouc Family Endowed Chair and Associate Professor Bellevue University
	M. Jack Rudnick Of Counsel Barclay Damon, LLP
	Gwen Webber-McLeod President & CEO Gwen, Inc.
	Maryann M. Winters, MS, CPA Partner Cuomo, Winters & Schmidt, CPAs, PLLC
Counsel
	Mary Anne Cody, Esq. Mackenzie Hughes, LLP